Photo Flash: First Look at Drama Learning Center's Area Premiere of HANDS ON A HARDBODY

Drama Learning Center's professional training company for emerging young artists will present the area premiere of new American musical Hands on a Hardbody this month. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Inspired by true events and based on the acclaimed 1997 documentary of the same name by S. R. Bindler, Hands on a Hardbody follows 10 hard-luck Texans searching for a new lease on life. Under a scorching sun for days on end, armed with nothing but hope, humor and ambition, each contestant fights to keep at least one hand on a brand-new truck in order to win it. In the hilarious, hard-fought contest that is Hands on a Hardbody, only one winner can drive away with American Dream.

Hands on a Hardbody boasts a book by Tony Award and Pulitzer-Prize winner Doug Wright (I Am My Own Wife, The Little Mermaid, Grey Gardens), music and lyrics by Amanda Green (Brint It On: The Musical) and music by Trey Anastasio (acclaimed for hiw work with rock band Phish). Hands on a Hardbody ran a limited run on Broadway in March and April of 2014. On directing this area premiere, Stephanie Lynn Williams states: "I'm so excited to direct this show. It is a true gem: topical and relevant, yet nostalgic. It's absurdly funny in one moment and gut-wrenchingly poignant in the next."

The focal point of the scenic design is a full-sized Nissan hardbody pickup truck, which Drama Learning Center has acquired from a theatre in Liberal, Kansas. To help offest the expenses of this non-traditional set piece, Drama Learning Center ran two fundraising campaigns late last year.

Drama Learning Center's Professional Training Company, TYA (Teaching Young Artists), presents its Fall/Winter production of Hands on a Hardbody from January 13-21, 2017 at Drama Learning Center in Columbia. Available by audition only, the TYA program allows students to work in a professional theatre environment as they learn about all aspects of theatrical work.

For tickets and more information, visit www.dramalearningcenter.com or call 410-997-9392.

Hands on a Hardbody is presented by permission through special arrangement with Samuel French.

Photo Credit: Bruce F Press Photography